Regan Brown
Diesel fuel gelling is a common issue for diesel owners, especially in cold weather. Gelling occurs when the wax or paraffin in diesel solidifies due to low temperatures, turning the fuel into a hard, wax-like substance that cannot be pumped into fuel lines, pumps, or injectors, causing the vehicle to not start or run. To prevent gelling, diesel owners can use anti-gel additives, switch to winterized diesel, employ engine block heaters, store their vehicles in a garage, and maintain at least half-full fuel tanks. If gelling does occur, emergency additives can be used to re-liquefy the gelled fuel, and filters can be heated with a heat gun or hair dryer or replaced with pre-filled treated diesel fuel filters.
What to do if diesel fuel gels up
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Signs of diesel fuel gelling | Engine fails to start, runs rough and with low power |
| Prevention methods | Use a fuel additive, buy good quality diesel fuel, store your vehicle in a garage |
| Reversing gelling | Use an emergency additive such as Diesel Winter Rescue, carefully heat the filter with a heat gun or hair dryer, replace the filter |
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What You'll Learn
Use anti-gel additives to prevent gelling
The best way to deal with diesel fuel gelling is to prevent it from happening in the first place. One way to do this is by using anti-gel additives. Anti-gel additives lower the temperature at which diesel starts to gel, helping to prevent fuel system blockages and ensure smooth engine operation.
Anti-gel additives are a cost-effective solution to prevent your vehicle from breaking down, saving you time and money. When choosing an anti-gel additive, it is important to select a high-quality product that is suitable for the climate in which you live. For example, Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel provides coverage down to -40°F, while Ricochet Fuel Distributors offers a unique winter formula that lowers the cloud point to a minimum of 22 degrees.
It is recommended to add anti-gel additives to your fuel with every fill-up during the cold-weather season. This will help to keep your vehicle running smoothly and prevent fuel gelling. The additive should be added to the fuel before reaching the cloud point, which is the temperature at which wax in diesel forms a cloudy appearance. By adding the additive at the pump, you can take advantage of warmer fuel from underground tanks, further preventing fuel gelling.
In addition to preventing fuel gelling, anti-gel additives offer several other benefits. They can improve your fuel's water dispersion, lubricity, and cetane, leading to better engine performance. Some additives, such as Howes Diesel Treat, also act as fuel conditioners, providing added protection against deposits and improving engine life and performance.
By using anti-gel additives and following other preventive measures, you can keep your diesel engine running smoothly during the winter and avoid the hassle and expense of dealing with gelled fuel.
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Warm up the fuel system by letting the engine idle
If your diesel fuel has gelled, you can try to warm up the fuel system by letting the engine idle. However, it is important to note that this method may not always be effective, as the engine's warmth may not reach the fuel tank due to its distance from the engine.
Before attempting to idle your engine, it is recommended to use an emergency additive, such as Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Rescue, to re-liquefy the gelled fuel. First, add the entire contents (32 ounces) of Diesel Winter Rescue to every 40 gallons of fuel in the tank. Then, remove the fuel filters and fill them with a mixture of 50% Diesel Winter Rescue and 50% diesel fuel. Reinstall the fuel filters and start your engine.
Once the engine is running, you can let it idle to warm up the fuel system and clear any remaining gelled masses. It is generally recommended that newer diesel engines idle for no more than 3 minutes before driving. Idling for extended periods can cause damage to the engine and internal parts. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the time and avoid letting the engine idle for too long.
To prevent diesel fuel gelling in the future, consider using a fuel additive, such as Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel, with every fill-up during the cold weather season. This additive can help prevent gelling and improve engine performance in cold temperatures. Additionally, maintaining a full or at least half-full fuel tank can reduce the risk of water or condensation collecting and causing diesel fuel to gel.
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Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the filter
If your diesel fuel gels in the filter, you can try carefully heating the filter with a heat gun or hair dryer. This method is effective because gelling is caused by wax in the fuel, and wax melts when heated. However, you must be very careful when applying heat to diesel, as the fuel could ignite from dryer coils.
If your filter has a cap or priming screw, you can try adding Opti-Lube Gel Melt directly to the filter. If that doesn't work, or if your filter is sealed, you'll need to replace the filter. It is recommended to always have an extra fuel filter on hand in your vehicle. Pre-fill the filter with treated diesel fuel or a straight fuel additive so that the treatment can reach the fuel pump and lines quickly.
It is important to note that simply using a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the filter may not be enough to fully dissolve the wax. To do so, you would need to heat the mixture to around 80-100°F. Additionally, even if you are able to un-gel the filter, the new filter will likely just get gelled up again. Therefore, it is recommended to use a fuel additive in addition to applying heat to the filter.
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Use a wax anti-settling agent to keep wax dispersed
If you're experiencing issues with diesel fuel gelling, it's important to understand the underlying cause, which is often related to wax crystal formation in the fuel. This usually occurs during cold weather when the temperature drops below the "cloud point" of the diesel, which is typically around 32°F to 40°F. At this range, the wax starts to harden and form crystals, leading to fuel gelling that can clog fuel filters and prevent your engine from running smoothly or even starting.
To address this issue, one effective approach is to use a wax anti-settling agent, also known as a fuel additive. These additives are designed to prevent the settling or sedimentation of waxes and other solid particles in the fuel. They work by keeping the wax dispersed throughout the volume of the fuel, maintaining a uniform opaque appearance. This is crucial because when wax crystals settle, they can clog fuel filters and negatively impact engine performance.
By using a wax anti-settling agent, you can prevent the formation of large wax crystal clumps that contribute to fuel gelling. These agents modify the wax properties in the fuel, promoting dispersal and solubilization. While some additives may impact the wax anti-settling properties of the fuel, there are specifically designed wax anti-settling agents available that can be added to your diesel fuel to keep wax dispersed.
It's important to select a suitable wax anti-settling agent that is compatible with your fuel type and follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper usage. These agents are commonly used in industries where the uniform distribution of wax particles is critical to product performance, and they can be a valuable tool to ensure your diesel engine operates smoothly during cold weather conditions that would otherwise lead to fuel gelling.
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Use a de-icer to melt ice in the tank
If your diesel fuel has gelled, you can use a de-icer to melt the ice in the tank. This method is best suited for emergency situations. Diesel Winter Rescue is a popular product for this purpose, and it is a fully formulated emergency product containing a military-grade de-icer and a lubricity additive. It is designed to quickly re-liquefy gelled fuel and de-ice frozen fuel filters, restoring the flow of diesel fuel to the engine.
To use Diesel Winter Rescue or a similar product, follow these steps:
- Remove the engine's fuel filters.
- Fill the filters with a mixture of 50% de-icer and 50% diesel fuel.
- Reinstall the fuel filters.
- Start the engine and allow it to idle as the fuel system warms up and clears any remaining gelled masses.
- If the fuel in the tank is still liquid but the engine won't start, simply wait a few minutes for the de-icer to work through the gelled fuel lines and filters before starting the engine.
It is important to note that prevention is always better than cure when it comes to diesel fuel gelling. Using a fuel additive such as Diesel Winter Anti-Gel with every fill-up during the cold weather season can effectively prevent gelling and improve engine performance. This product contains a powerful cetane improver, increasing cetane and lubricity for better performance and quicker cold starts.
Additionally, it is recommended to buy good-quality diesel fuel and use a fuel additive when temperatures drop below 32°F (0°C). This proactive approach will help prevent the formation of wax crystals and fuel filter clogs, ensuring your diesel engine runs smoothly during the winter.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're unable to start your diesel engine after a cold night, or if the engine is running rough and with low power, you might be experiencing fuel gelling.
Prevention is the best defence against diesel gelling. Use a fuel additive such as Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Winter Anti-Gel with every fill-up during the cold-weather season. Keep your vehicle stored in a garage during cold weather, and maintain a full or half-full fuel tank.
If your fuel has gelled in the tank, add 32 ounces of Diesel Winter Rescue to every 40 gallons of fuel. Remove the fuel filters and fill them with a mixture of 50% Diesel Winter Rescue and 50% diesel fuel. Reinstall the filters and start the engine, allowing it to idle to warm up the fuel system.
"Cloud point" refers to the temperature range at which wax in diesel starts to harden into crystals, generally around 32°F to 40°F. "Pour point" refers to the lowest temperature at which the fuel will still flow or pour. "CFPP" or "cold filter plugging point" refers to the point at which wax crystals can form a gel and clog the fuel filter.
Diesel fuel gelling occurs when the paraffin present in diesel solidifies due to a drop in temperature. Cold temperatures can cause the fuel to thicken and restrict flow, leading to issues such as reduced fuel pressure, delayed response times, and unexpected stalling.
